Post by mybodyguard on Sept 27, 2015 13:52:18 GMT

Out of the ones I've seen, I think Jericho was definitely the best. I didn't like The Walking Dead, as it is too far on the horror side of things, and I don't like zombie films or shows in general. I'd rather see these types of shows be about the personal human struggles of those left standing, rather than fighting monsters, aliens, dinosaurs, or zombies.

Jericho is by far my favorite serial tv, which carries over from story to story. I highly prefer individual standing episodes in a TV series, but in this instance, it works very well. When I first discovered Jericho on Netflix, I went on 6-7 episode in a row binges. It was just so intense and suspenseful, I couldn't stop watching. It sadly only last 2 seasons, and a 3rd season was actually in comic book form (which I have).

Both of the Survivors had elements continuing on through a series, but were able to have free standing plots from episode to episode as well.

Jeremiah had an excellent first season, where it was all free standing episodes, but when they went to the 2nd series giant story arc, the show fell apart in my mind. The 2nd series was its last.

Post by daz on Mar 7, 2017 20:01:06 GMT

Not TV, put have just finished the book "The Death of Grass" which is an apocalyptic book in which the world is is on its knees because grass has been wiped up with has resulted in mass starvation worldwide. The book centres on a few families who try and survive by leaving London in the hope of getting oop north to stay with a family member who lives in a big house with land in which they should be able to manage. With the breakdown of normal civilian life the family have to become murderers and deal with looters, rapists and all sorts of unsavoury things which sums up the battle for survival, on their quest to get to safety and when they arrive at their destination things don't pan out quite as well as they had hoped.

A brilliant book and I cannot believe this has never been adapted for TV.

Post by daz on Mar 7, 2017 20:04:09 GMT

Following on from death of grass I am just about finished reading Day of the Triffids which is as superb as I thought it would be and has got me in the mood to watch the BBC adaptation from the 81 BBC series, which was one of the best £5 I ever spent.

Post by Arch Stanton on Mar 7, 2017 20:22:02 GMT

Not TV, put have just finished the book "The Death of Grass" which is an apocalyptic book in which the world is is on its knees because grass has been wiped up with has resulted in mass starvation worldwide. The book centres on a few families who try and survive by leaving London in the hope of getting oop north to stay with a family member who lives in a big house with land in which they should be able to manage. With the breakdown of normal civilian life the family have to become murderers and deal with looters, rapists and all sorts of unsavoury things which sums up the battle for survival, on their quest to get to safety and when they arrive at their destination things don't pan out quite as well as they had hoped.

A brilliant book and I cannot believe this has never been adapted for TV.

John Christopher's The Death Of Grass is SUPERB! Highly recommended. Everyone I've ever recommended this too, who've read it (and that's a lot of people..) are big fans.

He (real name Sam Youd) also did A Wrinkle In The Skin and The World In Winter. Plus he wrote Tripods and The Sword of the Spirits post-apocalyptic teen fiction series.

The Death of Grass was made into the film No Blade of Grass (1970). Which is also SUPERB!

Post by daz on Mar 7, 2017 20:40:45 GMT

Not TV, put have just finished the book "The Death of Grass" which is an apocalyptic book in which the world is is on its knees because grass has been wiped up with has resulted in mass starvation worldwide. The book centres on a few families who try and survive by leaving London in the hope of getting oop north to stay with a family member who lives in a big house with land in which they should be able to manage. With the breakdown of normal civilian life the family have to become murderers and deal with looters, rapists and all sorts of unsavoury things which sums up the battle for survival, on their quest to get to safety and when they arrive at their destination things don't pan out quite as well as they had hoped.

A brilliant book and I cannot believe this has never been adapted for TV.

John Christopher's The Death Of Grass is SUPERB! Highly recommended. Everyone I've ever recommended this too, who've read it (and that's a lot of people..) are big fans.

He (real name Sam Youd) also did A Wrinkle In The Skin and The World In Winter. Plus he wrote Tripods and The Sword of the Spirits post-apocalyptic teen fiction series.

The Death of Grass was made into the film No Blade of Grass (1970). Which is also SUPERB!

Cheers for the info Arch. I did search for a film, but couldn't see anything, but did think it strange, will have to try and track this down

Post by ltd on Mar 9, 2017 14:47:37 GMT

It's one of those books I read every few years or so and always seem to find something new in it. When I read it last year it was realising I was familiar with a lot of the out-of-London locations that Masen and co travel through.

The Kraken Wakes is good too but it presents the catastrophe with a bit more scientific detachment. The coastal battle scene is suitably visceral though. Quite creepy as well.

Post by daz on Mar 9, 2017 20:16:06 GMT

It's one of those books I read every few years or so and always seem to find something new in it. When I read it last year it was realising I was familiar with a lot of the out-of-London locations that Masen and co travel through.

The Kraken Wakes is good too but it presents the catastrophe with a bit more scientific detachment. The coastal battle scene is suitably visceral though. Quite creepy as well.

I can understand why, a very thought provoking book. The thing I liked best is that is was written so long ago, but it doesn't really date, which is the sign of a good book.

Very impressed with the two books I have mentioned in this thread this week, I am currently reading some Le Carre are the moment, who I usually like a lot, but not really having the same impact after the previous two.

Post by ltd on Mar 13, 2017 17:53:18 GMT

After my enjoyment of last weeks books of this genre, I am home today with The Kraken Wakes, by John Wyndham. Hopefully not going to disappoint.

Reading it the last time I thought it a bit dry compared to Day of the Triffids (ironically for a novel about rising sea levels). I think there's less up close and personal action compared to Masen and Co's adventures. It's more about the macro-situation re: "the bathies". I think it's still a fine piece of work though and in the right hands would make a good film or tv series.

Post by daz on Mar 13, 2017 19:44:55 GMT

After my enjoyment of last weeks books of this genre, I am home today with The Kraken Wakes, by John Wyndham. Hopefully not going to disappoint.

Reading it the last time I thought it a bit dry compared to Day of the Triffids (ironically for a novel about rising sea levels). I think there's less up close and personal action compared to Masen and Co's adventures. It's more about the macro-situation re: "the bathies". I think it's still a fine piece of work though and in the right hands would make a good film or tv series.

I'm nearly done reading it and found it started off very dry compared to Triffids, but it does improve a lot in the second part of the book. Quite sure this would make a good adaptation for TV or film.

Post by daz on Mar 15, 2017 19:27:53 GMT

Reading it the last time I thought it a bit dry compared to Day of the Triffids (ironically for a novel about rising sea levels). I think there's less up close and personal action compared to Masen and Co's adventures. It's more about the macro-situation re: "the bathies". I think it's still a fine piece of work though and in the right hands would make a good film or tv series.

I'm nearly done reading it and found it started off very dry compared to Triffids, but it does improve a lot in the second part of the book. Quite sure this would make a good adaptation for TV or film.

Well finsihed it, and whilst it is not on a par with Triffids, it is a very good book and have to agree it would make a decent TV or film.

Post by daz on Mar 15, 2017 19:32:06 GMT

I have been watching Quatermass and enjoying it after an indifferent start. Does anyone know if the film 'Quatermass Conslusion' is to accompany this series or a different story altogether? Also, are the 50s series any good and worth watching?

Post by maninasuitcase on Mar 15, 2017 20:13:46 GMT

'The Quatermass Conclusion' was an edited down version of the 1978 TV Series used for cinema release. It has a run time of 105 minutes. It largely omits the 3rd episode (only 15 minutes was used) and the other 3 episodes are cut to 30 minutes each. The opening titles are shown over the scenes with John Mills entering London and there are different musical cues.

The series was filmed from 26.8.1978 - 23.12.1978.

All three Hammer Films:

The Quatermass Xperiment (b/w)

Quatermass II (b/w)

Quatermass and The Pit (colour)

are great and so are the TV serials they are based on. Sadly the BBC version of 'The Quatermass Xperiment' doesn't exist completely but the other two serials are complete. All are in b/w.

Post by daz on Sept 25, 2017 15:25:46 GMT

I eventually got around to watching No Blade of Grass this afternoon, kindly provided by a patron of this good forum and have to say very enjoyable. QUite stirring stuff for 1970, the rape scene in particular must have caused shock at the time.

Very thought provoking stuff and well ahead of its time. I'm amazed nobody has tried to remake this film as subject matter is more important now than it would have been coming on for 50 years ago.

Post by Arch Stanton on Sept 25, 2017 18:36:22 GMT

I eventually got around to watching No Blade of Grass this afternoon, kindly provided by a patron of this good forum and have to say very enjoyable. QUite stirring stuff for 1970, the rape scene in particular must have caused shock at the time.

Very thought provoking stuff and well ahead of its time. I'm amazed nobody has tried to remake this film as subject matter is more important now than it would have been coming on for 50 years ago.

Top film.Really good. Heavy handed and not for everyone, even I found the birthing scene hard going, and normally I don't bat an eyelid at stuff like that.

The film has everything though:Nostalgic scenery.Rape.Gun fights.Environmental horror.Bikers.Martial Law.Farm land.A hero with an eye-patch.

It doesn't get much better than that considering post apocalyptic movies.